Toyota and Lexus introduced a new advanced active safety research vehicle based on the Lexus LS at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

The new vehicle uses an array of safety features, such as a 360-degree LIDAR laser on the roof to detect objects up to 70 meters; radars on the front and sides to measure the location and speed of surrounding objects; a distance measurement indicator for travel distance and speed of the vehicle; an inertial measurements unit for vehicle behavior like acceleration and angle changes; three high-definition color cameras for traffic detection as far as 150 meters away, and GPS antennas for estimated angle before the vehicle moves.

These features follow each step of the driving process, from the initial parked position to the end of a destination. The system is designed to help avoid crashes, and in the event of a crash, rescue and response is called to help.

[Image Source: Brandon Hill/DailyTech]

“In our pursuit of developing more advanced automated technologies, we believe the driver must be fully engaged,” said Mark Templin, Toyota group vice president and general manger of the Lexus Division.“For Toyota and Lexus, a driverless car is just a part of the story. Our vision is a car equipped with an intelligent, always-attentive co-pilot whose skills contribute to safer driving.”

Toyota is working toward an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS), which will allow vehicles to alarm drivers and prevent impending collisions at intersections, vehicles changing lanes and rear collisions through vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications.